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A
Network of Christ-Centered, Outwardly-Focused, Faith-Growing
Communities for the Sake of the World
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Weekly
News & Announcements
May 6, 2024
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Synod
Assembly - It’s a family reunion you didn’t know you needed!
It is
really easy to become focused on one’s own congregation or one’s
ministry in a particular church. It’s good to be grounded in a call
and in a place that feels like home, but just like the ELCA Youth
Gathering does for young people across our church, attending Synod
Assembly is a reminder that ministry goes far beyond our local
congregation. It is really wonderful to meet people who love their
church like you do and who do ministry in a very different (or
really similar) way. Voting members will be from rural, small town,
urban, and suburban areas. Some leaders have been to Assembly
multiple times, and some have never been. Some of those who attend
will be used to contemporary music in worship, and others will be
familiar with traditional hymns. All of us make up the church.
We end up sharing resources with each other and exchanging ideas,
and it gets us outside ourselves.
Learn more and register NOW at https://gulfcoastsynod.org/2024-synod-assembly/.
Registration closes THIS WEEK (on May 9), and there
will be no on-site registration.
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Updates
to ELCA World Hunger’s Domestic Hunger Grants
ELCA World
Hunger’s Domestic Hunger Grants are one way our church accompanies
communities throughout the United States and Caribbean as they
respond to hunger and poverty.
Domestic
Hunger Grants Opened May 1!
Our team
is excited to share that the application process for Domestic
Hunger Grants is open. For those who are familiar with the Domestic
Hunger Grants, this year’s process will be the same as last year’s
but with additional time for applicants and reviewers, after
receiving feedback that more time was needed. Learn more about the process and how to apply.
An applicant info webinar was recorded and is accessible via the Domestic Hunger Grant website.
Domestic
Hunger Grants Application Timeline
- Letter of inquiry
form open: May 1–June 16, 2024
- Letter of inquiry
review: June–August 2024
- Response to the
letter of inquiry (decline or accept): by August 23,
2024
- Invited applicants
to complete grant application in ELCA GrantMaker:
August–September 2024
- Review and
communication between ELCA World Hunger staff and grant
applicants on proposal: August–October 2024
- Award notifications
shared with applicants: November 2024
- 2025 Domestic
Hunger Grants start date: March 2025
Daily
Bread Matching Grants Update
These
grants provide daily bread for neighbors experiencing hunger while
also serving as a catalyst for garnering additional financial
support. Funding from a Daily Bread Grant is meant to
supplement existing food-based ministries. ELCA World Hunger Daily
Bread Grants will be made available to congregations on a rolling
basis. You may submit a request for a Daily Bread Grant beginning
on May 1, 2024. In 2024, ministries feeding K-12 students over
the summer or after school in the following states: Alabama, Alaska,
Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma,
South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming will be prioritized
as these states are not implementing all of the
summer nutrition programs through the USDA. The fundraising platform
from past years will not be utilized as a part of this grant cycle.
Thank you for all you do to work
creatively and courageously toward a just world. If you have any
questions about the process or about ELCA World Hunger, please
reach out to our team at Hunger@elca.org.
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Disaster
Ministry Team Monthly Meetings
Interested
in disaster preparedness and/or crisis response? You’re invited
(and we could use you)!
- 2nd Tuesday of
every month - next meeting May
14
- 1:30p -2:30p CT
- Zoom (Meeting ID: 821
4800 7467 | Passcode: 501257)
For more
info, email dorie@gulfcoastsynod.org.
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Explore
Greece & Turkey with Bishop Michael Rinehart and Pastor David
Hansen
Join
Bishop Michael Rinehart and Pastor David Hansen on a life-changing,
faith-deepening pilgrimage as we travel the world of the Bible.
Exploring Greece and Turkey, the history of the New Testament comes
alive. Retrace the voyages of Paul as you learn about the early
church and the spread of the Gospel. Start your journey in Athens
and Corinth, then into Ephesus, as you make your way to
Patmos. Trip departs from Houston on June 19, 2024 and returns on June 30, 2024.
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It’s not
too late to join Lutheran Summer Music 2024! We’re looking
forward to an incredible year at LSM, and we’ve been able to add
extra spots for this summer! Final openings are available for the
four-week Full Session (June 30-July 28) for students in grades
8-12 who play clarinet, flute, horn, oboe, trumpet, euphonium,
violin, or string bass. Contact LSM Admissions for questions or
to refer students. For more information or to apply, visit LSMacademy.org.
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You are invited to worship and
celebrate with Shared Lutheran Ministry of Fayette County as
Jen Kindsvatter
is installed as Pastor
Sunday, June 2, 2024
at 4:00 p.m.
St. John Lutheran Church
5743 State Highway 159, La Grange, TX
Meal to follow.
Rostered leaders are invited to
vest process. The color of the day is red.
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The
Gathering could not happen without the love and support of our
volunteers. Our volunteer applications
are now open! This cycle, we have five different volunteer
opportunities for which you can apply. For a detailed list of
responsibilities and deadlines, or to apply, visit our website.
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In 2024
the Gulf Coast Synod will expand our impact. With an
increase in Mission Support of $60,000 in 2024, we will sustain
our strong ministry while significantly investing in leaders for
God’s church. Through a lay school, we will raise the preparation
and capacity of leaders in our congregations. We will ensure that
our existing rostered leaders have excellent continuing education
opportunities. We invite your congregation to return your Mission Support Estimate so we
can immediately implement these priorities.
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LEAD: Living Every Day As
Disciples
LEAD is a Christian leadership
development organization that is nurtured by this synod to be a
gift to the whole church.
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Lutherans Restoring Creation
For more information on LRC, contact the Lisa Brenskelle. The team is
seeking additional members.
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Live On
Live On is the endowment fund
of the Gulf Coast Synod. Together with the synod, we are
developing Lutheran leadership through a culture of generosity.
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